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The Pilgrims Office in St Jean pd Porte will provide you with a credencial (Pilgrim Passport) and a list of accommodations.I’m planning on walking the French route starting in a few days and I’m wondering I need to book accommodations ahead of if I’ll be able to walk into town and get something each night? Also wondering where to get the camino passport. Any info is appreciated!!
I concurWe are getting a good number of purportedly clueless proto-Peregrinos on here these days. Is it asking too much for someone to do just a little bit of research before posting a ‘tell me how to do a Camino’ question?
I know there are a number on here with a boundless willingness to share their experience and solid advice; but still …
I think the best advice is from someone on the route. We just ended our Roncesvalle to Burgos today.I’m planning on walking the French route starting in a few days and I’m wondering I need to book accommodations ahead of if I’ll be able to walk into town and get something each night? Also wondering where to get the camino passport. Any info is appreciated!!
I would book first 2 days ahead at least. They are limited options. Day 1 is tough walk but wonderful and being told u have to taxi back or forward would be frustrating to me.I’m planning on walking the French route starting in a few days and I’m wondering I need to book accommodations ahead of if I’ll be able to walk into town and get something each night? Also wondering where to get the camino passport. Any info is appreciated!!
Don’t be a turkey face! If you don’t want to answer questions or think “us” too needy just move on and don’t be soooooo judge mental just because you know things !We are getting a good number of purportedly clueless proto-Peregrinos on here these days. Is it asking too much for someone to do just a little bit of research before posting a ‘tell me how to do a Camino’ question?
I know there are a number on here with a boundless willingness to share their experience and solid advice; but still …
Except that your limited experience is now weeks out of date and is not reflective of someone starting now.I think the best advice is from someone on the route. We just ended our Roncesvalle to Burgos today.
Be kindWe are getting a good number of purportedly clueless proto-Peregrinos on here these days. Is it asking too much for someone to do just a little bit of research before posting a ‘tell me how to do a Camino’ question?
I know there are a number on here with a boundless willingness to share their experience and solid advice; but still …
I just returned from CF two weeks ago. The reason I cut my Camino short was that I couldn’t find a place to stay beyond Belorado. Everything was full. Had been reserving places two nights in advance. A bubble? Don’t know but I do know that it’s crowded. Would definitely suggest booking places as far ahead as possible.I’m planning on walking the French route starting in a few days and I’m wondering I need to book accommodations ahead of if I’ll be able to walk into town and get something each night? Also wondering where to get the camino passport. Any info is appreciated!!
So, what you are saying is that there were no reservable beds on the common booking sites. Meanwhile from Belorado all the way to Santiago the un-reservable beds lie empty. A little research, or even faith, might have lengthened your CaminoI just returned from CF two weeks ago. The reason I cut my Camino short was that I couldn’t find a place to stay beyond Belorado. Everything was full. Had been reserving places two nights in advance. A bubble? Don’t know but I do know that it’s crowded. Would definitely suggest booking places as far ahead as possible.
Why are you starting in September? Possibly the busiest month after May. Why are you dependent on a bookable bed when most of the available beds aren’t bookable?I am trying to convince myself to do the Camino Frances this year for the first time. But horror stories about not finding a place to stay have me worried. How late into September would I have to start, in order to avoid major problems? I realize that booking ahead a day or two is wise, but it sounds like that strategy may not work due to the large number of people on pilgrimage.
Did you stay in any of the non-reservable public or parochial albergues?I just returned from CF two weeks ago. The reason I cut my Camino short was that I couldn’t find a place to stay beyond Belorado.
I would start in the 3rd week of August to be ahead of the September crowds.I am trying to convince myself to do the Camino Frances this year for the first time. But horror stories about not finding a place to stay have me worried. How late into September would I have to start, in order to avoid major problems?
Actually, September is historically busier than May.Why are you starting in September? Possibly the busiest month after May
Brierley is possibly talking about arrivals in Santiago. It's a different metric than starts from SJPdP. Read the thread I linked to.The Brierly book says that August is the busiest month but the thread you referred to says something different. Why not just leave later in September? At least that is what I was thinking.
Yes, I did read the thread. I was just explaining my logic. But I think that you are right, May and September are maybe the worst times to start from SJPDP. Thanks for pointing this out.Brierley is possibly talking about arrivals in Santiago. It's a different metric than starts from SJPdP. Read the thread I linked to.
Other than airport hotels, my wife and I have never prebooked any accommodation on six different Camino's.
We love the unpredictability and the excitement of finding a place each night. We like to check a place oit before we put our money down...maybe why we haven't ever encountered a bed bug yet. Life can be too predictable at home.
If the idea of potentially sleeping outside one night terrifies you, the Camino may not be for you.
Walk in faith. There is aways a bed if you expect one to be there. You just need to go with the flow and relax.
Being totally fixated on accommodations will spoil your walk.
100% agree. Good insight.One thing to consider for first timers: It appears many are spending more time booking than training. If the same amount of effort went into being trail fit, some of the apparent panic would be mitigated, as the capacity to walk to the next town would not pose a hardship. I truly believe people having pre-booked accommodation (whether booking their own or booking with tour group) leads to more injury, as the need to get to the booked accommodation leaves no room for flexibility if you want to have a short day. While going your own way and carrying a pack may sound daunting, it actually provides the ultimate flexibility and freedom. Where your pack is, there is your home. Having it with you is the most freeing feeling in the world.
While I agree the Camino can potentially be for everyone I would qualify that by saying:The Camino is for everyone
My first Camino was in 2006 (I've returned several times since) and every local and hospitalero/a I have spoken to over the years has told me without hesitation that May is always the busiest month.I think the best advice is from someone on the route. We just ended our Roncesvalle to Burgos today.
It is imperative that you reserve in Orison or Roncesvalle NOW (though if you get to Roncesvalle by 1 Pm, it may not be a problem). We arrived May 18th at 4:15 pm, with a reservation, and witnessed MANY people turned away at Ronsesvalle due to the beds being full. It took us 2 1/2 hours just to get registered (but It may be in part due to the time we arrived).
Since we were not registered until 6:45pm, we witnessed a lot of desperation. They even announced that ALL beds all the way to Pamplona were full.
After Pamplona, generally beds were available if it was a large albergue AND you arrived by 1 or 2 PM.
There is a really low number of beds around Villafranca and especially Ages and Atepuerco.
Many people reserved at least 2 days ahead, at all times (farther ahead if you want to get into a cheaper, private Albergue). The few times that I wanted to reserve 1 day ahead, it was very difficult to find a bed, and usually I could only find a hotel or hostel bed at a higher rate.
The Camino Frances has been crazy busy from my May 19th departure. A more recent departee may guide you a little better. This is my 4th time and the Camino Frances has changed. Someone who we walked with, and is walking now feels it has even changed/gotten busier since last year.
It is still a great experience, but I thinks it's good to have updated info. A few days after you start, you will have a feel of what is right for you. Buen Camino.
I agree with the previous reply that says that number doubtless relates to arrivals in Santiago (the school holidays in August mean hundreds of young Spaniards fo the last 100km, often in scouts groups).The Brierly book says that August is the busiest month but the thread you referred to says something different. Why not just leave later in September? At least that is what I was thinking.
That’s so rudeWe are getting a good number of purportedly clueless proto-Peregrinos on here these days. Is it asking too much for someone to do just a little bit of research before posting a ‘tell me how to do a Camino’ question?
I know there are a number on here with a boundless willingness to share their experience and solid advice; but still …
I'm sorry you cut your Camino short. Would you mind sharing when and where you started?I just returned from CF two weeks ago. The reason I cut my Camino short was that I couldn’t find a place to stay beyond Belorado. Everything was full. Had been reserving places two nights in advance. A bubble? Don’t know but I do know that it’s crowded. Would definitely suggest booking places as far ahead as possible.
Don’t be a turkey face! If you don’t want to answer questions or think “us” too needy just move on and don’t be soooooo judge mental just because you know things !
Be kind
There was a time when questions which had been addressed recently on the forum would have generated a response along the lines 'this has been answered. Use the search function and come back if you what has already been discussed doesn't answer all you concerns.' That wasn't an unreasonable request a decade ago, but now there seem to be tender souls who are sensitive to having it pointed out to them that they are little different to most other members of this forum, and it is not just possible, but extremely likely that their concerns have been addressed.That’s so rude
People can be so judgmental on this site. If you don't want to answer a question, then don't. But in any case, be kind.There was a time when questions which had been addressed recently on the forum would have generated a response along the lines 'this has been answered. Use the search function and come back if you what has already been discussed doesn't answer all you concerns.' That wasn't an unreasonable request a decade ago, but now there seem to be tender souls who are sensitive to having it pointed out to them that they are little different to most other members of this forum, and it is not just possible, but extremely likely that their concerns have been addressed.
Of course, the growth of the forum has seen far more members who are prepared to answer these questions, and appear to have the time to research the forum and other sources, and provide some of the wonderful array of information that gets presented here every hour of every day.
But I don't see that as an excuse this behaviour. I am over 70, and I expect anyone around my age or younger to have reasonable skills using a computer to undertake research on the internet, unless perhaps they have spent all their time playing computer games. So what is rude is not take the time to use some of those skills. We have all been newbies, and I suspect for many of us our first questions were similar to @Hannamm's, and had that pointed out to them.
So, @Hannamm, you are not the first to find that you have stepped into this circumstance. Your question has recently been actively and extensively discussed, as it always is around this time of year as both old and new members grapple with the vagaries of the crowding that occurs at particular times of year, the difficulty of knowing whether there will be beds available when the booking engines are showing no vacancies, not knowing whether an albergue which won't take bookings might have beds available if you arrive later in the day.
If you are able to take the time to search for these discussions, and you find you still have concerns, you might find others can offer you more specific advice that addresses those concerns that you haven't been able to resolve.
My experience in 2022 on the CP, and again this year on the Variante Espritual from Valenca and the Sanabres from Ourense is that what @Tincatinker is saying here is quite real. Last year when I walked to municipal and xunta albergues that couldn't be booked, they were never full. In one instance, there were just three of us in a albergue with 24 spaces. Others staying in that town were having difficulty booking places.So, what you are saying is that there were no reservable beds on the common booking sites. Meanwhile from Belorado all the way to Santiago the un-reservable beds lie empty.
I don't think that suggesting that a question has already been answered and that the answer can be found with the search engine is necessarily judgemental or unkind. If it is phrased as "what an idiot you are..." then I can see that, but if it is done politely there is nothing wrong with it. It is an answer, just not a direct one. In some cases it may be more helpful than a direct answer, because it can lead both to the information requested and new knowledge and skills that will help the person asking the question get the most out of the forums.People can be so judgmental on this site. If you don't want to answer a question, then don't. But in any case, be kind.
Started in Pamplona on May 5. Good luckI'm sorry you cut your Camino short. Would you mind sharing when and where you started?
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